Alternative health services on the increase
Over the past decade, the proportion of Australians who have paid for alternative health services has increased from 7.2% to 9.5% and the trend is rising. This represents an increase of 583,000 people, from an estimated 1,110,000 in the year to March 2001 to 1,693,000 in the year to March 2010.
The increased use of alternative health services such as naturopathy, massage and acupuncture has been driven largely by women, 12% of whom (an estimated 1,087,000 women) reported paying for services in the year ending March 2010.
Ten years ago the proportion was 8.4%, estimated at 663,000 women.
“The rising trend in the number of Australians paying for alternative health services is most evident amongst women aged between 25 and 64, particularly amongst the higher socio economic groups. Aspirations to wellness underpin the growth of a valuable nutraceutical market, where an array of complimentary medicines is being positioned to match consumer needs,” says Nick Williams, healthcare consumer consultant, Roy Morgan Research.
